Influence of slaughter weight and sex on yield and quality grades of Hanwoo (Korean native cattle) carcasses1

Abstract

To assess the effects of slaughter weight and sex on APGS (Animal Products Grading Service) quality and APGS yield grade of Korean Hanwoo (n = 20,881) cattle, data were collected from cow, bull, and steer carcasses during a 1-yr period. Factors used to determine quality grade (marbling, meat color, fat color, texture, and overall maturity score) and yield grade (cold carcass weight, adjusted fat thickness, and longissimus muscle area) by the Korean grading system were recorded. Both yield and quality grades were improved (P < 0.01) with heavier slaughter weight, but there was no difference in yield grade for Hanwoo cattle classes heavier than 551 kg (P > 0.01). Longissimus muscle area, adjusted fat thickness, and marbling score increased (P < 0.01) with carcass weight. Bull carcasses showed higher yield but lower quality than those of cows or steers (P < 0.01). The quality grade of steer carcasses was higher (P < 0.01) than that of cow carcasses due to higher marbling scores, lower maturity scores, and heavier carcass weights. Hanwoo carcasses with larger longissimus muscle areas in relation to their carcass weight had lower APGS quality grades. The APGS quality grades were different between yield grade A and B carcasses (P < 0.01), but quality grade was not improved by increased fat thickness beyond the point of yield grade B. Adjusted fat thickness and marbling score showed significant (P < 0.01) differences among all yield grade classes, and this resulted in increased quality grade as yield grade decreased. Adjusted fat thickness showed the strongest correlation (r = -0.63) with yield grade, whereas marbling score had the strongest correlation (r = 0.81) with quality grade. Results showed a negative effect of castration on yield but a positive effect on quality. Also, data showed that Hanwoo carcasses with heavier weights had higher quality grades than those of lighter weight.

Meat Quality Traits of Longissimus Muscle of Hanwoo Steers as a Function of Interaction between Slaughter Endpoint and Chiller Ageing

“…These can be attributed to the higher live weight of the 32 mon old cattle. The current results were in agreement with the findings of Park et al (2002) who reported that yield grade of Hanwoo cattle improved with increased animal weight and that yield grade and ribeye area are positively correlated (r=0.51). However, Park et al (2002) observed that there was no further increase in yield for cattle weighing more than 551 kg.…”

“…The current results were in agreement with the findings of Park et al (2002) who reported that yield grade of Hanwoo cattle improved with increased animal weight and that yield grade and ribeye area are positively correlated (r=0.51). However, Park et al (2002) observed that there was no further increase in yield for cattle weighing more than 551 kg. This is because the cattle that they evaluated within live weight classes were a mixture of steers, bull and cows that are of different ages.…”

“…Historic slaughter weight of Hanwoo has been approximately 400 kg or lighter but in the past decade the endpoint weight has been increased up to 700 kg or heaver (Park et al, 2002), as that improves palatability associated with fattening and maturation. Feeding grain and increasing time on feed improve the palatability and acceptability of meat for the US consumer, primarily by increasing the amount of marbling (Hausman et al, 2009).…”

“…In 2008, the slaughter age of Hanwoo was increased from 24 mon to 30-32 mon. Although Park et al (2002) have previously shown that Hanwoo carcasses with heavier weights had higher quality grades than those of lighter weight, their study made use of animals from various production systems and different classes of cattle such as steers, bulls and cows.…”

Substitution of dried mulberry (Morus indica L.) leaf meal for concentrate mix on feed intake, digestibility, body weight gain and carcass characteristics of Abergelle sheep

“…The ribeye area in the present study was within the range of 8 -9.4 cm 2 reported by Hagos and Melaku (2009) for Afar rams. Ribeye area is affected by the weight and muscularity of the live animal (O'Rourke et al, 2004) and it is increased with carcass weight (Park et al, 2002). The backfat thickness in the present study was slightly lower but within range of of 2.8 -7 mm reported by Degu et al (2009) for Tigray highland sheep fed cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica)-teff straw and supplemented with isonitrogenous oil seed cakes.…”